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The NH-L9i is a highly-compact low-profile quiet cooler designed for use in small form factor cases and HTPC environments. While it provides first rate performance in its class, it is not suitable for overclocking and should be used with care on CPUs with more than 65W TDP (Thermal Design Power). Please consult our CPU compatibility list and TDP guidelines to find out whether the NH-L9i is recommended for your CPU. |
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Award-winning NH-L9i cooler
Tens of thousands of enthusiast users all over the world swear by the NH-L9i’s quality and performance. Recommended by more than 150 international hardware websites and magazines, it is renowned as being one of the best low-profile coolers on the market.
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chromax.black design
The NH-L9i chromax.black is black from head to toe: Featuring a black coated heatsink, a black fan with black anti-vibration-pads, black fan screws and black mounting parts, it’s right at home in all-black builds and easy to integrate with other colour schemes.
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37mm low profile
Due to the slim 23mm heatsink and the NF-A9x14 low profile fan that measures only 14mm in thickness, the NH-L9 stands a mere 37mm tall, which makes it ideal for use in compact HTPCs or Small Form Factor cases that offer minimum clearance for CPU coolers.
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100% RAM compatibility
The NH-L9i has a 95x95mm footprint that complies exactly with the Intel LGA115x socket keep-out zone. This means that it won't cause issues with chipset coolers and doesn't overhang the RAM slots, so it's fully compatible with tall memory modules.
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100% compatibility with PCIe cards on mini-ITX
Most Intel LGA115x based mini-ITX motherboards have the PCIe slot sitting right next to the 95x95mm socket zone. While larger coolers that exceed this zone are likely to block the PCIe slot, the 95x95xmm sized NH-L9i provides full compatibility with PCIe cards.
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NF-A9x14 PWM premium fan
The highly optimised NF-A9x14 premium fan features Noctua's proprietary AAO frame as well as sophisticated aerodynamic design measures. Supporting PWM for fully automatic speed control, the NF-A9x14 allows the NH-L9i to stay remarkably quiet.
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Low-Noise Adaptor
Allowing to reduce the maximum speed of the NF-A9x14 fan from 2500 to 1800rpm, the included (L.N.A.) makes it possible to achieve near-silent setups using CPUs with less than 65W TDP.
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Custom-designed SecuFirm2™ mounting for LGA115x
The NH-L9i bundles a custom-designed, backplate-less SecuFirm2™ mounting system for LGA115x that offers extended compatibility with mini-ITX boards and makes installation easier than ever, all while maintaining the trusted SecuFirm2™ quality.
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Optional SecuFirm2™ mounting kit for AMD AM4
While the NH-L9i’s construction is tailored to the keep-out zone of Intel’s LGA115x platform, it can be installed on many AMD AM4 boards using the optional NM-AM4-L9aL9i mounting kit, which can be ordered on Noctua’s website free of charge.
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NT-H1 thermal compound
Noctua’s much-acclaimed NT-H1 is a pro-grade TIM solution that provides minimum thermal resistance, excellent ease of use and outstanding reliability. Chosen again and again by overclockers and enthusiast users worldwide, it has established itself as a benchmark for premium-quality thermal compounds.
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Soldered interface between heatpipes and fins
With many heatsinks, the fins are press-fitted to the heatpipes. Due to the different thermal expansion coefficients of copper and aluminium, this fit can loosen over years of thermal cycling, which may lead to reduced performance. By contrast, the NH-L9i’s fins are soldered to the heatpipes in order to guarantee a superior thermal interface that doesn’t deteriorate even after many years of usage.
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6-year manufacturer’s warranty
Noctua products are renowned for their impeccable quality and outstanding longevity. Like all Noctua fans, the supplied NF-A9x14 features an MTTF rating of more than 150.000 hours and the entire NH-L9i package comes with a full 6-year manufacturer's warranty.
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Notes and warnings
The NH-L9i is a highly-compact low-profile quiet cooler designed for use in small form factor cases and HTPC environments. While it provides first rate performance in its class, it is not suitable for overclocking and should be used with care on CPUs with more than 65W TDP (Thermal Design Power). Please consult our CPU compatibility list and TDP guidelines to find out whether the NH-L9i is recommended for your CPU.
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Intel LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, AMD AM4 with NM-AM4-L9aL9i
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Height (without fan)
23 mm
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Width (without fan)
95 mm
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Depth (without fan)
95 mm
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Weight (without fan)
320 g
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Height (with fan)
37 mm
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Width (with fan)
95 mm
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Depth (with fan)
95 mm
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Weight (with fan)
380 g
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Material
Copper (base and heat-pipes), aluminium (cooling fins), soldered joints & nickel plating
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Max. TDP
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Fan compatibility
92x92x14mm, 92x92x25mm
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Scope of delivery
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6 Years
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Model
Noctua NF-A9x14 HS-PWM chromax.black
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Bearing
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Max. rotational speed (+/- 10%)
2500 RPM
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Max. rotational speed with L.N.A. (+/- 10%)
1800 RPM
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Min. rotational speed (PWM, +/-20%)
600 RPM
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57,5 m³/h
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Max. acoustical noise
23,6 dB(A)
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Max. acoustical noise with L.N.A.
14,8 dB(A)
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Input power
2,52 W
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Voltage range
12 V
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MTTF
> 150.000 h
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Nous avons photographié chacun des trois modèles sous tous les angles, à la recherche de la moindre imperfection.
Nous avons fait “chou blanc”… Le noir envahit la totalité du ventirad, jusqu’aux petits circlips maintenant les vis montées sur ressort.
La finition est excellente et l’on n’en attendait pas moins de la part de Noctua.
Seule la base cuivrée du radiateur revêt son placage nickelé.
On constate que même les accessoires du système de fixation revêtent cette couleur.
Un noir d’aspect satiné habille donc trois ventirads, Noctua ayant sélectionné trois modèles représentatifs des différents formats.
Le NH-D15 chromax.black, vaisseau amiral de la flotte autrichienne, doté d’un radiateur au format double tour et accompagné de deux ventilateurs.
Le NH-U12S chromax.black qui représente le ventirad doté d’un radiateur au format simple tour et accompagné par un seul ventilateur.
Le NH-L9i qui représente le format Top Flow.
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Test verdict: "Vous aimez les performances des ventirads issus de la marque Noctua, mais… Mais, vous ne pouvez franchir le pas en raison des couleurs spécifiques à cette marque.
Cette époque est maintenant révolue !" (Bertrand Curras, modding.fr)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Besonder gefreut hat uns, dass die neue Optik ganz ohne Nachteile daherkommt. Die Temperaturen haben sich im vergleich zum Original nicht verändert und somit ist der NH-D15 chromax.black wieder ganz vorne in unserem Ranking.
Auch ist die Beschichtung offenbar sehr robust, denn trotz wiederholter Montage haben wir keine Kratzer an ihr entdecken können.
Die alten Noctuastärken bleiben auch beim chromax.black erhalten: Tolle Verarbeitung, ungemein laufruhige Lüfter, üppiger Lieferumfang und lange Garantiezeiten. Noctua kombiniert also nun Funktion mit Design zu einem ungemein tollen Produkt.
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Test verdict: "Der Release des schwarzen NH-D15 war lange überfällig, doch das Ergebnis kann sich sehen lassen. Der bekannte Kühler sieht in dem matten Schwarz richtig gut aus und fügt sich nun endlich harmonisch in viele Systeme ein." (Julian Brockmeier, Hardware-Helden.de)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
أداء مبردات Noctua معروف و لا يحتاج الى اجتهاد حتى نوضح ما الذى تقدمه تلك المبردات من أداء متميز و هى المنافس الأول و المتوفق فى عالم المبردات الهوائية و تنافس مبرداتها أيضا العديد من المبردات المائية لكن كان ذلك قبل ان يتم تطوير المبردات المائية بشكل جيد لكن مازالت تحتفظ Noctua بمكانتها
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Test verdict: "اللون الأسود الجديد لمبردات Noctua قد أدخل شىء من السرور الى قلبى" (Ahmed Mohamed Elsayed, HardwareField.com)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
El rendimiento nos ha sorprendido para este pequeño disipador, por eso desde Game It queremos otorgar los galardones de Producto Premium, Diseño y Producto Recomendado al Noctua NH-L9i chromax black.
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Test verdict: "El Noctua NH-L9i chromax black mantiene lo visto en el modelo anterior, pero añadiendo un mejor acabado visual. " (Miguel G. Mingorance, GameIT.es)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Оригинальная Noctua NH-L9i с неокрашенным радиатором и фирменным вентилятором цвета кофе с молоком была выпущена ещё в далеком 2013 году. Все эти годы она являлась отличным выбором для сверхкомпактной системы, и, не просто отличным, но, вероятно, даже лучшим. Появление афро-версии на её статус нисколько не повлияло. [...] Noctua NH-L9i chromax.black – топовый кулер в своих габаритах, который из-за качества исполнения способен потягаться даже с более тяжеловесными моделями. В случае с маломощным процессором, уровень TDP которого порядка 65 Вт, он будет почти бесшумным. С 95-ваттным «камнем» без разгона будет уже чуть шумнее, но только в стресс-тестах. В играх и прочих повседневных нагрузках кулер будет также очень тих. Наконец, процессор даже можно прилично подразогнать, но будьте готовы к температурам под 90 градусов.
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Test verdict: "Итого чёрная Noctua NH-L9i строго рекомендуется, но только если на первом месте стоят габариты. В случае полноразмерной сборки будет и холоднее, и тише, и дешевле приобрести обычную «башню». Но как ни крути это “Выбор редакции”." (Ubeiko Oleg, OCClub.ru)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Noctua NH-L9i is an excellent cooler, which is one of the best options on the market for small form factor computers or HTPC. Considering the size, we can say it performs great and runs quietly. There are not many competitive coolers on the market that could offer as much.
The chromax.black version brings a fresh new look to the already popular design. All enthusiasts who are into small computers will be for sure interested in this product. The previous version, even though it is performing about the same, didn’t fit a color scheme of small gaming builds.
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Test verdict: "All who are searching for a small, yet well-performing cooler for an SFF or HTPC should take a look at Noctua NH-L9i. There is no better cooler in this size on the market." (Bartosz Waluk, FunkyKit.com)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Všechny tři testované chladiče dopadly dle očekávání. Příjemným zjištěním je fakt, že nová povrchová úprava skutečně nijak zásadně neovlivňuje chladicí výkon a rozdíly jsou pouze v rámci běžné odchylky měření.
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Test verdict: "Dílenské zpracování je perfektní, nový vzhled chladičům velice sluší a dodává jim luxusní vzhled. Chladiče jsou nyní daleko méně nápadné a lehce zapadnou do libovolné sestavy, aniž by působily rušivě. Chladící výkon je vynikající a ventilátory jsou příjemně tiché, zejména při rozumném nastavení otáček. Příslušenství je také bohaté, nadto má každý chladič šestiletou záruku." (Pavel Sekerka, HWCooling.net)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
El Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black es un excelente cooler para un HTPC de salón por sus correctas prestaciones, bajísima sonoridad y tamaño muy reducido, como es primordial en cajas de reducido tamaño para sistemas HTPC.
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Test verdict: "El Noctua NH-L9i Chromax.Black es un excelente cooler para un HTPC de salón por sus correctas prestaciones, bajísima sonoridad y tamaño muy reducido, como es primordial en cajas de reducido tamaño para sistemas HTPC." (Jose Luis Fernandez, Razorman.net)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
المشتت الخاص بنا يحصل علي نتيجة 78 درجة وهي نتيجة رائعة لمعالج 8600K و اختبار FPU وهو مقارب لأختبار برامج الرندر اما عن الألعاب فلا تتوقع ان تزيد عن 68 باي حال من الأحوال ! و رغم ان المشتت الخاص بنا مراوحة تعمل بمعدل 2500 لفة إلا ان الصوت هادء للغاية !
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Test verdict: " رغم حجم المشتت و استخدامة مراوح 92 مم إلا انة اعطي اداء ممتاز مقابل الحجم و عدد الأنابيب الملحقة و تصميم المشتت المنخفض للغاية 37 مم" (Ahmed Mohamed,
Dark Tech Reviews)
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NH-L9i chromax.black Review
Con un factor de forma reducido, el NH-L9i original es una de las opciones existentes creada para los sockets 115X de Intel y una perfecta elección si buscamos un disipador silencioso y discreto para nuestro ordenador sin renunciar a un buen rendimiento.
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Test verdict: "Este Noctua NH-L9i es una de las opciones más interesantes para los usuarios que quieren una opción de refrigeración de compacta y de calidad en un entorno en el que inicialmente la temperatura no es un problema." (Jose Manuel Moreno Suarez, PC-Solucion.es)
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NM-AM4-L9aL9i mounting-kit
- The NM-AM4-L9aL9i SecuFirm2™ mounting-kit makes Noctua NH-L9a and NH-L9i CPU coolers compatible with AMD's AM4 socket.

NT-H2 3.5g
- Further improved second generation of the award-winning NT-H1 with even better thermal performance
- Not electrically conductive and non-corroding
- Excellent long-term stability (usage time on the CPU up to 5 years)
- 3.5g pack for around 3-20 applications (depending on CPU size, e.g. ~3 applications for TR4, ~20 for LGA1151)

NT-H2 10g
- Further improved second generation of the award-winning NT-H1 with even better thermal performance
- Not electrically conductive and non-corroding
- Excellent long-term stability (usage time on the CPU up to 5 years)
- 10g pack for around 9-60 applications (depending on CPU size, e.g. ~9 applications for TR4, ~60 for LGA1151)

NA-SCW1
- Cleaning wipes for removing thermal compounds such as Noctua NT-H2 and NT-H1
- Ideal for cleaning the contact surface of the heatsink as well as the heat-spreader of CPUs, GPUs or other chips
- Pre-moistened with a custom detergent mixture for easy and efficient cleaning
- Large size (15x12cm) is usually enough to clean both the chip and the cooler
- Pack contains 20 individually packed wipes

You can either buy from our local sales partners or directly from us via our official Amazon and eBay stores:
FAQs
Is the NH-L9i compatible with the Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI and GA-Z77N-WIFI?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
Does the coating of the chromax.black coolers affect performance?
I get a CPU fan error despite the fan is running!
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Can I install a Noctua cooler in my system from Acer, Dell, HP or Lenovo?
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
Can the NH-L9i be used on AM4?
Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
The mounting brackets don’t touch the mainboard, is this an issue?
Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Which Noctua coolers are compatible with LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156)?
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
How can I remove the mounting brackets of my NH-L9i chromax.black cooler?
Is the NH-L9i compatible with the Gigabyte GA-H77N-WIFI and GA-Z77N-WIFI?
My case supports CPU coolers of up to XXXmm height, which model should I choose?
I have difficulties installing the cooler, can you help?
How much torque should be applied when tightening the screws of a Noctua CPU cooler?
Screw type | Max. torque |
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NM-SSC1 screws for fixing the fastening brackets to the base of the heatsink | 0.5 Nm |
NM-ITS1 thumb screws for fixing Intel mounting bars | 0.5 Nm |
NM-ALS1 screws for fixing AMD mounting bars | 0.6 Nm |
Spring-loaded screws for fixing the heatsink to the mounting bars | 0.6 Nm |
How can I determine if the motherboard’s UEFI BIOS is overclocking my processor by default and deactivate this automatic overclocking?
Most motherboard vendors allow their overclocking-enabled products (e.g. those with Intels X- or Z-series chipsets) to run the processor at increased clock speeds by default, without requiring any user action at all. Since TDP (Thermal Design Power) limits are usually also disabled by default, this leads to the CPU exceeding the rated TDP to a varying degree, depending on the used applications and their workloads. Due to the increased heat output of the CPU, you may see higher CPU temperatures than expected.
In order to find out if your motherboard is overclocking your processor by default, please enter the UEFI BIOS and select the “advanced” or “overclocking” menu. There you should be able to find options such as “MultiCore Enhancement” (options: enabled/disabled), “CPU Ratio Apply Mode” (options: all/per core) or similar. To disable the automatic overclocking, adjust the settings either to “disabled” or “per core” and make sure that the individual multipliers match the original specifications.
In doubt, please contact your motherboard vendor for detailed instructions on how to disable this feature.
My Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
Current processors from Intel, especially the unlocked models with the suffixes C, K, X or XE (e.g. Core i7-8700K, Core i9-7900X oder Core i9-9900K) can dissipate noticeably more heat than indicated by the TDP specification.
While many motherboard models stick to the recommended power levels and clock speeds settings from Intel, there are models where the UEFI BIOS is configured in such a way that:
- the TDP limits are extended or disabled.
- the motherboard applies automatic overclocking by default, e.g. by raising the supply voltage of the CPU and using higher Turbo-Mode multipliers.
Depending on the load scenario and CPU configuration settings, the actual power draw can be 1.5-3 times as high the stated TDP value. This can lead to temperature issues, especially when using smaller coolers, compact cases or cases with poor airflow, when some applications create very high loads, e.g. Prime95 with AVX2 support, 3D-rendering or simulation software.
The actual power draw of the processor can be monitored with software provided by the motherboard vendor or with 3rd party tools like HWInfo or HWMonitor.
If you encounter temperature issues (>90°C) and notice a higher than specified power draw, please ensure that no automatic overclocking is applied. You might also want to limit the TDP to either the specified value by Intel or a value that is 5-10W below the value previously read out from the CPU. This can be done in BIOS by setting the “Long Term Duration Power” manually instead of “Auto”.
Furthermore, it may also help to lower the CPU clock speed for applications that heavily use the AVX instruction set, which can lead to higher loads and power draw. This option is usually referred to as “AVX offset” and makes it possible to lower the multiplier specifically for AVX based applications without reducing performance when using other instruction sets. Depending on the quality of the CPU and the programs being used, a reduction of 2-3 steps usually gives very good results.
The option to set an AVX-offset value is usually available for the following CPU generations:
- LGA1151:7th, 8th and 9th generation (Kaby Lake, Coffee Lake)
- LGA2011-3: 6th generation (Broadwell-E)
- LGA2066: 7th and 8th generation (Skylake-X)
Please contact your motherboard vendor for details if you have trouble finding the appropriate settings in the BIOS.
All our TDP recommendations are based on thorough testing with the default values specified by Intel using popular applications such as Asus Realbench and prime95. Please note, however, that prime95 creates a particularly high load that goes beyond most typical application scenarios and this leads to elevated temperatures. We thus recommend using other programs such as Realbench for checking the stability and temperatures of the CPU in realistic scenarios.
Please also note that CPUs that use thermal paste instead of soldering between the DIE and the heatspreader generally run hotter. Due to the thermal bottleneck created by the thermal paste, temperatures can be high even at the specified TDP.
Why is my Ryzen 3000 processor getting so hot? Why are Ryzen 3000 CPUs running hotter than previous generation Ryzen CPUs with the same TDP rating? Is there anything wrong with my cooler?
The latest Ryzen 3000 processors (except APU models) differ from previous Ryzen generations in that they are no longer based on a single, large chip but use a multi-chip approach with smaller chips instead. Depending on the exact model there can be one (6 and 8-core models) or two (12 and 16-core models) actual CPU-Dies (CCD) on the package. Each processor also uses an I/O-Die (IOD), which contains things like the memory controller, PCIe controller, connections to the motherboard chipset and other functions.

Because of this design change and the switch to a smaller 7nm manufacturing process, the heat distribution of the overall processor is much different from older 14nm and 12nm based single-chip Ryzen processors with a similar power draw.
Depending on the exact CPU model, its specified TDP value and possibly extended power limits (precision boost overdrive), a single CPU-die can create a heatload of up to 130W easily, whereas the I/O-die usually creates a heatload of about 10W. Due to the small size of the CPU-die, the heat density (W/mm²) of this chip is very high. For example, a 120W heatload at a chip-size of 74mm² results in a heat-density of 1.62W/mm², whereas the same heatload on an older Ryzen processor with a chip-size of 212mm² gives a heat-density of just 0.57W/mm².
This large difference in heat-density is the reason why newer Ryzen 3000 processors become much warmer at similar heatloads than their predecessors.
Furthermore, Ryzen 3000 CPUs are using the rated temperature headroom (up to 95°C) quite aggressively in order to reach higher boost clocks. As a result, it is absolutely no problem and not alarming if the processor runs into this temperature limit. The clock speed and supply voltage will be adjusted automatically by the processor itself in order to remain within AMD’s specifications and to prevent overheating.
Due to the higher heat density, higher thermal limits and more aggressive boost clock usage, it is perfectly normal that Ryzen 3000 CPUs are reaching higher temperatures than previous generation Ryzen CPUs with the same TDP rating. Higher CPU temperatures are normal for Ryzen 3000 processors and not a sign of that there is anything wrong with the CPU cooler.
Does the coating of the chromax.black coolers affect performance?
I get a CPU fan error despite the fan is running!
My Noctua PWM fan starts to spin when the PC boots but then stops, what is wrong?

Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
To resolve the issue, you can:
Choose a higher fan speed profile in the BIOS (e.g. „normal“ instead of „silent“, etc.) or deactivate automatic fan speed control and use a Low-Noise Adaptor instead.
Use the mainboard‘s fan speed control software or 3rd party tools like Speedfan to regulate the fan speed. Unlike BIOS based fan speed control, the supplied software usually checks whether the fan has stopped and increases voltage accordingly or at least offer more options to set up the fan properly.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
My Noctua PWM fan runs at a much higher minimum speed than advertised, what is wrong?
- Many mainboards do not go below 40%, 50% or even 60% PWM duty cycle on case fan headers. Please refer to your mainboard manual to verify whether the fan header actually goes down to 20% duty cycle. If that's not the case, in some cases you can use the fan speed control software supplied with your mainboard to overcome these limitations and reduce the fan speed even further. However, 3rd party tools like SpeedFan offer greater flexibility and better options to work around the limitations imposed by the mainboard vendors.
- Some mainboards feature 4-pin fan headers that actually don‘t use a PWM signal on Pin 4 to control the fan speed but rather reduce the voltage on Pin 2 (like a standard 3-pin fan header). As the fan speed at minimum voltage is usually higher than the speed at 20% PWM duty cycle, the fan can not reach as low minimum speeds under voltage control as under PWM control. Please refer to your mainboard manual to check whether or not your mainboard has 4-pin fan headers that control the fan speed by reducing voltage on Pin 2 rather than by changing the PWM duty cycle on Pin 4:
Note that mainboard manufacturers use different terms to indicate that Pin 4 is not being used for PWM control (e.g. “+5V”, “VCC” or “NC”), but if one of these terms is used, you can be sure that the fan header does not support PWM. If Pin 4 is described as “Speed Control” or “PWM” or the like, you can be sure that the fan header supports PWM.
Unfortunately, the description of Pin 2 is not always a clear indication as some manufacturers use terms such as “Fan PWR” or “Power” for both types of fan headers. However, if Pin 2 is described as “Speed Control”, you can also be sure that the fan header does not support PWM based speed control. If Pin 2 is described as “+12V”, this is a clear indication that the fan header supports PWM.
Please also note that in some cases, the descriptions of the pin layouts in the mainboard manuals may not be correct and some models actually allow you to switch the fan headers from voltage control mode to PWM control mode in the BIOS even though the pin descriptions do not indicate PWM support. We thus recommend to look for these options in the BIOS before taking other measures. In case of doubt, please contact your mainboard manufacturer.
If your mainboard features other 4-pin fan headers that use PWM for speed control, you can run multiple fans from these headers using Y-split cables. Make sure not to exceed the specified maximum power draw of the fan headers (usually 10-12W) though.
I get a CPU fan error using my Noctua PWM fan, is it faulty?
I'm experiencing fan speed issues with my motherboard from Supermicro, what can I do?
The BIOS of many motherboard models from Supermicro expects a certain minimum fan speed (usually 600 or 700rpm), which is higher than the minimum fan speed that can be achieved with Noctua's PWM fan models. The BIOS may interpret the low minimum RPM of Noctua fans as a fan error and thus try to run the fan at 100% for a short period before going back to automatic control. This can result in oscillating fan speeds and fan speed warnings in the BIOS or the fan management console.
Unfortunately there is usually no option to set a lower minimum value in the BIOS that would suit the low minimum speed of Noctua PWM fans. The issue can thus only be resolved by either disabling automatic fan speed control in BIOS, which will cause the fans to run at a constant speed, by using 3rd party tools like IPMItool or IPMIutil, or by requesting a modified BIOS file from Supermicro, which takes the minimum fan speed of Noctua fans into account (charges might apply). Please note that any modifications performed with 3rd party tools are done at your own risk and that Noctua can not be held responsible for any possible issues.
Which Noctua fan or CPU cooler should I buy? How to choose the right model?
Can I install a Noctua cooler in my system from Acer, Dell, HP or Lenovo?
Systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands often use motherboards which differ slightly from the specifications issued by Intel and AMD. While those changes are usually subtle, they can lead to compatibility issues with coolers that were built to comply with these specifications.
Even in case the cooler is mechanically compatible and can be installed, other issues can occur, e.g. proprietary fan connectors, BIOS errors due to a low fan speed, shutdowns, etc. Some of these problems can be avoided with some technical knowledge, but especially BIOS related issues can often not be resolved.
Due to the large number of possible issues that cannot be resolved with different mounting parts alone, Noctua does not officially support systems from Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo or other major brands.
What Thermal Design Power (TDP) is this cooler recommended for and how much Watt (W) of heat can it dissipate?
Which sockets are supported or can be supported using upgrade kits?
Can the NH-L9i be used on AM4?
Please also note that there has been a minor revision of the NH-L9i heatsink in April 2013 (see illustration below). Since this revision, the heatsink features a cut-out on one side in order to provide better clearance for tall motherboard components. If you install the cooler on an AM4 motherboard that has tall components close to the socket and if your heatsink has the cut-out, you can orient the cooler in such a way that the cut-out is above the components in order to maximise clearance. Regardless of whether or not your heatsink has the cut-out, please carefully double check that it doesn’t press against any components!

Should I take the cooler off before transporting my system?
The mounting brackets don’t touch the mainboard, is this an issue?

Why doesn't the base of Noctua coolers have a polished, mirror like finish?
Which Noctua coolers are compatible with LGA115x (LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156)?
The following coolers can be made compatible to LGA115x using the NM-i115x Upgrade-Kit: NH-C12P, NH-D15 SE-AM4, NH-L9x65 SE-AM4, NH-U12, NH-U12F, NH-U12P, NH-U12P SE1366, NH-U12S SE-AM4, NH-U9, NH-U9F, NH-U9B.
The following coolers are mechanically incompatible with the NM-i115x Upgrade-Kit and can not be made compatible with LGA115x: TR4-SP3 coolers, DX-3647 coolers, DO-Series AMD Opteron coolers, NH-L9a, NH-L9a-AM4.
Is the cooler compatible with the LGA1151 socket?
My unlocked Intel CPU is running too hot although my heatsink supports the specified TDP, what's the problem?
- the TDP limits are extended or disabled in the motherboards' BIOS.
- the motherboard applies automatic overclocking by default, e.g. by raising the supply voltage of the CPU and using higher Turbo-Mode multipliers.
- some software creates untypical loads, e.g. Prime95 with AVX2 support and a) and/or b) apply.
This can lead to temperature issues, especially when using smaller coolers or compact cases.
The actual power draw of the processor can be monitored with software provided by the motherboard vendor or with 3rd party tools like HWInfo or HWMonitor.
If you encounter temperature issues (>90°C) and notice a higher than specified power draw, please ensure that no automatic overclocking is applied and limit the TDP to the specified value by choosing appropriate BIOS settings.
For Kaby Lake CPUs, it may also help to lower the CPU clock speed for applications that heavily use the AVX instruction set, which can lead to higher loads and power draw. This option is usually referred to as “AVX offset” and makes it possible to lower the multiplier specifically for AVX based applications without reducing performance when using other instruction sets. Depending on the quality of the CPU and the programs being used, a reduction of 2-3 steps usually gives very good results.
Please contact your motherboard vendor for details if you have trouble finding the appropriate settings in the BIOS.
All our TDP recommendations are based on thorough testing with the default values specified by Intel using popular applications such as Asus Realbench and prime95. Please note, however, that prime95 creates a particularly high load that goes beyond typical application scenarios and this leads to elevated temperatures. We thus recommend using other programs such as Realbench for checking the stability and temperatures of the CPU in realistic scenarios.
Can I keep using the backplate / mounting system of my previous Noctua cooler for my new one?
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with Intel LGA2066?
Due to the heatsink mounting mechanism being identical on LGA2011 and LGA2066, Noctua’s SecuFirm2™ mounting systems for LGA2011 also support Intel’s upcoming ‘Basin Falls’ X299 HEDT (High End Desktop) platform for ‘Skylake-X’ and ‘Kaby Lake-X’ processors. Most current Noctua coolers already include SecuFirm2™ mounting systems for LGA2011 and can thus be used on LGA2066 motherboards without any upgrades or modifications.
The following models include a mounting-kit for socket LGA2011/2066 and are thus compatible out of the box:
NH-C14S
NH-D14 SE2011
NH-D15
NH-D15S
NH-D9L
NH-L12
NH-L9x65
NH-U12S
NH-U12DX i4
NH-U14S
NH-U9DX i4
NH-U9S
The following models can be made compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets free of charge using the NM-I2011 upgrade-kit:
NH-C12P
NH-C12P SE14
NH-C14
NH-D14
NH-D15 SE-AM4
NH-U12S SE-AM4
NH-L9x65 SE-AM4
NH-U12
NH-U12F
NH-U12P
NH-U12P SE1366
NH-U12P SE2
NH-U9
NH-U9B
NH-U9B SE2
NH-U9F
The following models can be made compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets using the NM-I2011 upgrade-kit but are not eligible for Noctua‘s free mounting offer, so users have to purchase the kit at local resellers:
NH-U12DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
NH-U12DX
NH-U12DX 1366
NH-U9DX 1366
NH-U9DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
The following models are not compatible with the LGA2011/LGA2066 sockets and can not be upgraded:
NH-L9a
NH-L9i
NH-U12DO A3
NH-U9DO A3
Which Noctua CPU coolers are compatible with AMD AM4 (Ryzen)?
NH-D15 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D15 SE-AM4
NH-D15S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S SE-AM4
NH-U9S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D9L (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-C14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L12S
NH-L9x65 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L9x65 SE-AM4
NH-L9a-AM4
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4 upgrade-kit:
NH-C12P
NH-C12P SE14
NH-C14
NH-C14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D14
NH-D14 SE2011
NH-D15 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D15S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-D9L (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-L12
NH-L9x65 (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12
NH-U12F
NH-U12P
NH-U12P SE1366
NH-U12P SE2
NH-U9
NH-U9B
NH-U9B SE2
NH-U9F
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4-UxS upgrade-kit:
NH-U14S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U12S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
NH-U9S (AM4 mounting included since 2019, only older coolers require upgrade kit)
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket free of charge using the NM-AM4-L9aL9i upgrade-kit:
NH-L9a
NH-L9i
The following models can be made compatible with the AM4 socket using the NM-AM4 upgrade-kit but are not eligible for Noctua‘s free mounting offer, so users have to purchase the kit at local resellers:
NH-U12DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
NH-U12DX
NH-U12DX 1366
NH-U12DX i4
NH-U9DX i4
NH-U9DX 1366
NH-U9DO (Note that the A3 version is not compatible!)
The following models are not compatible with the AM4 socket and can not be upgraded:
NH-U14S TR4-SP3
NH-U12S TR4-SP3
NH-U9 TR4-SP3
NH-U12DO A3
NH-U9 DO A3
I’ve used all the NT-H1 thermal compound that came with the cooler, can you send me more?
Can I upgrade my existing Noctua cooler to socket TR4 or SP3?
How should I clean my Noctua cooler?
Thermal paste residues: Whenever you take off the heatsink from the CPU, we recommend to clean the CPU as well as the base of the cooler before re-applying thermal paste and re-installing the cooler. You can either just wipe the base and the CPU clean with a dry, lint-free tissue or, for more thorough cleaning, use a lint-free tissue moistened with either a mild solution of washing-up liquid or isopropyl alcohol. Do not put the cooler or CPU under running water. Note that both the base of the heatsink and the CPU should be dry, free from residues of thermal compound and free from grease before re-applying thermal paste and re-installing the cooler.
How can I remove the mounting brackets of my NH-L9i chromax.black cooler?
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